{"id":18862,"date":"2016-09-14T11:21:56","date_gmt":"2016-09-14T19:21:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/?p=18862"},"modified":"2016-09-14T11:21:56","modified_gmt":"2016-09-14T19:21:56","slug":"parisian-debuts-adelson-still-thinking-big","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/parisian-debuts-adelson-still-thinking-big\/","title":{"rendered":"Parisian debuts, Adelson still thinking big"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/launch.newsinc.com\/?type=VideoPlayer\/Single&amp;widgetId=1&amp;trackingGroup=69016&amp;siteSection=lvrj&amp;videoId=31387551\" width=\"450\" height=\"253\" frameborder=\"no\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Sheldon Adelson<\/strong>\u2122 has refrained from pre-hyping his <strong>Parisian Macao<\/strong>, preferring to let the product speak for itself. It opened last night to the customary fireworks display, as well as a dazzling light show on the megaresort&#8217;s half-size <strong>Eiffel Tower<\/strong>. Additional va-va-voom has been injected by <a href=\"http:\/\/lasvegassun.com\/news\/2016\/sep\/13\/paris-comes-to-asias-casino-hub-macau-with-new-san\/?_ga=1.32944830.125885817.1456524315\" target=\"_blank\">the engagement of pulchritudinous Bond girl<\/a> <strong>Sophie Marceau<\/strong> as the resort&#8217;s poster girl. However, if you thought Adelson had gone all in on <strong>Macao<\/strong>, he revealed that his original plan for the <strong>Cotai Strip\u2122<\/strong> entailed 20 casinos &#8212; an ambition the Chinese government would not countenance. I mean there&#8217;s gambling and then there&#8217;s <em>gambling<\/em>. (Also, Adelson would probably have been in a world of hurt when the bottom fell out of the Macanese market.)<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen the government sent me out to <strong>Cotai<\/strong>, I frankly thought they were exiling me because the big activity, the resorts and the gaming, was on the peninsula. So I went back to the government after I went out to Cotai and I said, <!--more-->\u2018Where\u2019s the land?\u2019 And they said, \u2018Well, it\u2019s under the water.\u2019 And I said, \u2018Do I need a helicopter or something to pick it up?\u2019 And they said no, you\u2019ve got to reclaim the land. We had to bring in barge after barge of sand to reclaim the land.\u201d Does one &#8216;reclaim&#8217; land that never existed or merely displace the ocean? Just wondering.<\/p>\n<p>In any event, despite his lowered expectations for Macao &#8212; reported here yesterday &#8212; Adelson <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reviewjournal.com\/business\/casinos-gaming\/fireworks-greet-opening-27b-parisian-resort-macau\" target=\"_blank\">is still hankering for more<\/a> Macanese casinos.\u201cWe have some ideas for additional work here in Macao, but not any major integrated resorts like the Parisian that we are opening today,\u201d he remarked, Perhaps he&#8217;s feeling wistful about <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-10906\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Adelson-portrait.jpg\" alt=\"Adelson portrait\" width=\"192\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Adelson-portrait.jpg 192w, https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Adelson-portrait-150x117.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 192px) 100vw, 192px\" \/>the casino site that he thought he had but which the government took back, in its own form of &#8216;reclamation.&#8217; Seemingly contradicting himself, he told reporters, &#8220;There doesn&#8217;t seem to be too much more growth here. We are aggressively and continuously, let me call it lobbying for other locations throughout the <strong>Asia-Pacific<\/strong> countries.&#8221; Meanwhile, he took pride in the fact that all his Cotai Strip\u2122 properties are interconnected, sparing guests from having to traipse from one to another in the <strong>Pearl River<\/strong> delta&#8217;s fetid climate. On the entertainment front, having already failed with <strong>Cirque du Soleil\u2122<\/strong>, Adelson is attempting to do Cirque Lite with a <strong>Michael Jackson<\/strong>-themed production show called <em>Thriller Live<\/em>. In a somewhat tasteless bit of architectural garnish, Adelson has crowned his recreation of the <strong>Arc de Triomphe de l&#8217;Etoile<\/strong> (<strong>France<\/strong>&#8216;s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) with a digital billboard 40 feet high. (That&#8217;s Adelson for you: &#8220;class&#8221; with a capital K.) Worst of all, the &#8220;streets&#8221; of Parisian will be populated with mime artists. How can Adelson inflict such cruelty upon the unsuspecting Chinese?<\/p>\n<p>As for future resort ideas, Adelson <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ggrasia.com\/adelson-mulls-london-themed-resort-as-opens-parisian\/\" target=\"_blank\">floated the prospect<\/a> of <strong>London<\/strong>&#8211; and <strong>San Francisco<\/strong>-themed megaresorts. But he said he would only do that in a competitive market. Were he <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-16006\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Sheldon-Adelson-300x189.jpg\" alt=\"Sheldon-Adelson\" width=\"300\" height=\"189\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Sheldon-Adelson-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Sheldon-Adelson-150x94.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Sheldon-Adelson.jpg 625w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>someplace with restricted competition, like Singapore, he said he would prefer an &#8220;iconic&#8221; structure like <strong>Marina Bay Sands<\/strong> (although I have it on good authority that the stunning building was practically forced forced upon Adelson after the government rejected a sort of &#8220;Venetian Singapore.&#8221;) Regarding the appeal of themed resorts as tourists become more cosmopolitan, Adelson replied,\u00a0\u201cWe wouldn\u2019t build a thematic property if we didn\u2019t feel this would truly attract people; in proportionately higher numbers than the non-thematic properties.\u00a0\u201cIf there were five properties that were thematic\u2026 it would have a disproportionately high, strong effect of attraction for the customers. The more thematic properties you have collectively the better.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Adelson has been cautious about predicting a recovery for Macao. At a pre-opening news conference, he said of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/mass-market-push-in-macau-as-paristhemed-resort-opens\/article9104582.ece\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"broken_link\">August&#8217;s 1% bounce<\/a>,&#8221;is it sustainable for a long time to come? I can&#8217;t <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-17311\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/the-parisian-300x194.png\" alt=\"the-parisian\" width=\"300\" height=\"194\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/the-parisian-300x194.png 300w, https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/the-parisian-150x97.png 150w, https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/the-parisian.png 580w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>answer that question, but based upon the pre-bookings we have, based upon the convention bookings we have, I think we have essentially hit the bottom.We\u2019ve gone down gradually and I think we will go up gradually. So, Macao still has very good days to come. I can\u2019t predict what the percentage of growth will be, but I\u2019m optimistic about the future.&#8221;\u00a0<strong>Deutsche Bank<\/strong>&#8216;s <strong>Karen Tang<\/strong> was less circumspect.\u00a0\u201cWe conclude that Macau is now at the start of a mass-led[gross gaming revenue] recovery. Importantly, both base mass and premium mass are growing again.\u201d One patron told an Associated Press reporter,\u00a0&#8220;Macau gambling is unsustainable because of central government corruption and the overall economic slide.&#8221; He then went to wager $450 at the casino.<\/p>\n<p>Also, after <strong>MGM Cotai<\/strong> and <strong>Lisboa Grand Palace<\/strong> open next year, it looks like Macao will have a good long time to absorb all the new capacity.\u00a0\u201cWe estimate this stage to last till 2030. After 2030, we expect the industry to enter maturity stage, which will be characterized by a steady but low-growth and high-dividend payout,\u201d wrote <strong>AM Capital<\/strong>&#8216;s <strong>David Williamson<\/strong>. By that point, operators will also know whether their concessions have been renewed or nationalized. In the meantime they&#8217;re all going to be on their best behavior.<\/p>\n<p>* Giving equal time to the competition, the <i>Las Vegas Review-Journal<\/i> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reviewjournal.com\/business\/casinos-gaming\/skycabs-help-distinguish-42b-wynn-palace\" target=\"_blank\">took a journalistic joyride<\/a> on <strong>Steve Wynn<\/strong>&#8216;s gondola attraction at <strong>Wynn Palace<\/strong>. Rising to a 91-foot apogee, the SkyCabs orbit the water feature in front of Wynn Palace, which correspondent <strong>Richard Velotta<\/strong> rates as superior to the aquatic shows at <strong>Bellagio<\/strong> and <strong>Wynn Macao<\/strong>. <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-18607\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Wynn-Palace-300x189.jpg\" alt=\"Wynn-Palace\" width=\"300\" height=\"189\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Wynn-Palace-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Wynn-Palace-150x95.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Wynn-Palace.jpg 625w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>The two terminals of the route are denoted by giant dragon mouths. It takes 10 minutes to complete the circuit, provided that you have the $12.50 it costs to ride the SkyCabs, which seems rather a buzz kill. As far as interior design, Wynn has gone floral in a big way, deploying at least 186,000 plants.<\/p>\n<p>The casino prides itself on its Chinese aesthetic.\u00a0\u201cMr. Wynn has tied the design of the property to Chinese culture and you can see it in all the colors and textures that have been used in the design,\u201d Assistant Director of Public Relations <strong>Barry Cheong<\/strong> told Velotta. The latter, duly impressed, wrote that &#8220;The development is rich in public art. Wynn acquired tapestries, paintings, sculptures and porcelain <strong>Qing Dynasty<\/strong> vases that dot corners of the resort. Rooms, halls and walkways have detailed inlaid tile features.&#8221; To accentuate the feeling of splendor, Wynn has laid out wider-than-usual hallways in the hotel and even the most modest room boasts a 65-inch TV set. The four penthouses &#8212; 3,900 square feet apiece &#8212; are larger than a single-family residence, by far. Unlike Parisian, Wynn Palace is definitely for the high-end customer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sheldon Adelson\u2122 has refrained from pre-hyping his Parisian Macao, preferring to let the product speak for itself. It opened last night to the customary fireworks display, as well as a dazzling light show on the megaresort&#8217;s half-size Eiffel Tower. Additional &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/parisian-debuts-adelson-still-thinking-big\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[65,80,4,22,62,11,10,12,108,61,32],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18862"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18862"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18862\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18863,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18862\/revisions\/18863"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18862"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18862"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18862"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}